The State Hermitage Museum: Hermitage News

The Academy of Porcelain. Joint Project between the State Hermitage and the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory

On 11 May 2004 the State Hermitage and the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory announced a joint project which aims to revive the traditions of collaboration between Russia’s best artists and the country’s first porcelain factory. The organizers of this creative program look to contemporary artists to provide brilliant solutions in terms of designing new shapes for tableware, vases and decorative sculpture; fresh and unusual ideas for under-glaze and over-glaze painted works both in serial production and single edition copies. In the five months from 1 June to 29 October 2004, the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory assures complete creative freedom in the selection of subjects and form in which they are embodied. The factory provides the use of its artistic laboratory at any time convenient to the artists. All necessary equipment and materials will be provided (ceramic paints, ceramic slurry and clay for modeling, white foundation for painting), firing in the factory kilns, and, as required, consultations with factory artists and technical staff. The joint project of the State Hermitage and the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory envisions the creation of a unique collection of original works by artists that will be exhibited in a summary show in the Hermitage, together with a published catalogue which informs about the development of modern works of art. In accordance with the wishes of the artists, their work from the exhibition may be given over to the museum and factory collection. Depending on agreement between the parties, there is provision for concluding contracts on reproduction of the pieces in factory production.